Do you ever see this Ermini's barchetta?

If we look at the figure of this beautiful classic car, at first glance, we will immediately remember the famous car brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, etc. However, if you look at the front grille, which has the 'E' emblem firmly imprinted on it, you might immediately wonder; what is the brand of this beautiful sports car? 

1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa is a two-seater barchetta bodied by Morelli. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3ikCafo)

This is the Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa. It is a 2-seater barchetta bodied by Morelli and manufactured in 1948. Ermini? Maybe some of us rarely know or even don't know about this Italian brand. Let's talked about it. 

During the years just after the Second World War, there were plenty of small sportscar manufacturers in Italy producing cars for the many road races that were organized. The most popular was the 750 and 1100 cc classes and the cars were often based on mass-produced components from Fiat.

1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa was the first car built by Pasquono Ermini for compete in various racing events. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bMKMc3)

One of the smallest of these manufacturers, often derogatorily referred to as "Etceterini" to distinguish them from the more familiar names like Ferrari and Maserati, must have been Ermini from Florence. But still, it was successful enough to be remembered today.

The brand owned by Ermini Automobili, an Italian automotive company is founded by Pasquino Ermini, a Florence engineer who learned his trade as a mechanic and driver during the 1920s and '30s with the Squadra Materassi and its Bugatti and Talbot cars. Following the war, he built his first car, a combination of a (heavily modified) Fiat 1100 chassis and an Alfa Romeo 2500 engine. With this, he competed in various events.

1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa is a combination of a (heavily modified) Fiat 1100 chassis and an Alfa Romeo 2500 engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3bK4JjZ)

He then decided to produce his own engine, choosing to enter the then-popular 1100 class. The result was a twin-cam 1094cc unit which emerged in 1947, one of the first twin-cams in that class. It immediately proved successful and was sold to many competitors, who fitted it to a variety of cars, usually either based on the 1100 or with a chassis by Gilco.

Bodies were supplied by numerous coachbuilders. In 1949 Ermini began building complete cars, with his 1100 DOHC engine, the chassis by Gilco, and the bodywork by Tofani. The early 1950's saw the Ermini 1100 as the car (or engine for those who chose to fit it to different chassis') to have. Tofani was unable to meet the demand, and so Motto and Morelli were used to producing the bodies.

Rear three quarter of the 1948 Ermini Fiat 1100 Corsa. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/35oxO35)

In 1953 Ermini introduced a new engine. Still a DOHC 1100 it now had an aluminum block and five main-bearing crankshafts. Around 20 engines were built and were fitted to cars by Ermini themselves (with a chassis designed by Gilco, Scaglietti, Morelli, and Frua (designed by Michelotti).

Even though it looks small, the work of this Italian automotive manufacturer still exists today. Yes, this company still continues to produce cars and engines for various purposes, especially racing needs. And its last production sports car was Ermini 686 'Seiottosei' which was exposed to the public at the 2014 Geneva International Motor Show. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ERMINI AUTOMOBILI | SUPERCARS.NET | COACHBUILD.COM | RITZSITE.NL | CARS A-Z]

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Alfa Romeo 1900 'Esse Esse Zetas'

During the 1950s the automotive world in Europe was hit by the car racing euphoria that marked by so many racing events that were attended by many participants ranging from automotive brand holders, other companies to individuals.

Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ (Super Sprint Zagato) built by Carrozzeria Zagato from 1954 to 1957. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2DjKDA8)

This has also attracted a lot of interest from Alfa Romeo customers to make racing cars with this Italian qualified brand to fight in a racing event at that time such as the Mille Miglia and others. And then the celebrated local coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Zagato, renowned for its lightweight, aviation-inspired lines, was called upon to create such a car and immediately set to work.

Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ (Super Sprint Zagato grabs instant success and won at the gruelling multi-stage Stella Alpina, driven by Galluzzi. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2DjKDA8)

The potent result, the 'Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ (Super Sprint Zagato)' as it became known, was an instant success and won its first major outing, the gruelling multi-stage Stella Alpina, driven by Galluzzi. It wasn't long before Alfa’s racing department test driver Consalvo Sanesi tried out the new car and reported back to the firm’s top brass, who quickly sanctioned limited production.

Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ (Super Sprint Zagato has a beautiful interior covered dominantly with light-brown genuine-leather. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2DjKDA8)

The Zagato Berlinetta also is known as the "esse esse zetas" or SSZ in short. It has the Zagato's trademark double-bubble roof. It matched Zagato's aerodynamic efficiency and the lightweight aluminum body design with the most potent version of Alfa Romeos 1900 known as the SuperSport.

Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ (Super Sprint Zagato uses a 1,975 cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine coupled with Weber carburetors, five-speed manual transmission system. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2DjKDA8)

The power amount of 115 bhp was burst out from its 1,975 cc DOHC inline four-cylinder engine coupled with Weber carburetors, five-speed manual transmission, so can be made the car speeding on the track. The car also featured with special independent front suspension with double A-arms, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, live-axle rear suspension with trailing links, coil springs, and hydraulic shock absorbers, and four-wheel drum brakes.

Alfa Romeo 1900 SSZ (Super Sprint Zagato is simply one of the most dynamic post-war sports cars ever created. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2DjKDA8)

The Zagato-bodied 1900C is simply one of the most dynamic post-war sports cars ever created, and it continues to draw the fascination and respect of Italian design connoisseurs. It has evolved into one of the most collectible post-war Alfa Romeo cars of all time.

It is thought that just 39 examples (plus two bare chassis) of these 1900 SSZ bespoke coupes were built specifically for racing, from 1954 to 1957. And they are all regarded as the pinnacle of the 1950s production Alfa Romeos. And at the 2016 RM Sotheby's Auction in Arizona, the price of one of these Zagatos offered is estimated at $1.4 to 1.8 million, had sold yet at the event. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ZAGATO | RM SOTHEBY'S | CARSTYLING.RU | FABWHEELSDIGEST | SUPERCARS.NET | KIDSTON.COM]

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Testa Rossa Coupe restored by Neil Twyman

Indeed, if we talk about beautiful and exotic sports cars there will be no end. Especially when the mentioned topic is 'Testa Rossa,' and you must be agreed with us if that's the most legendary name in the world's automotive as one of the famous sports car species made by the Maranello-based premium car manufacturer, Ferrari.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Coupe is a chimera model of two famous 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE and Testa Rossa restored by Neil Twyman. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hxfV5D)

Even one of the 'Testa Rossa' named classic sports cars (1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa) has won several races like the Mille Miglia, 24 hours of Le Mans in the 1950s. Now, this roofless classic racing car from the Prancing Horse logoed manufacturer is listed as one of the most expensive cars in the world (its price tag ranging from the U.S. $12 million to $25 million).

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Coupe still uses an original 3-liter V12 'refreshed' 250TR type Block engine. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2D1z2pe)

Well, the 'Testa Rossa' (not 'Testarossa') which will be discussed this time is a little different, because it is made as a coupe. In fact, the classic Testa Rossa racing car of 1950s had never been made by Ferrari in a coupe platform before. So if there is now a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Coupe, of course, make you will ask who has built it?

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Coupe is restored by Neil Twyman over a period of 10 years (from 2001 to 2011). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2D1z2pe)

As quoted by Velocecars, this Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Coupe was built by Neil Twyman for himself over a period of 10 years (from 2001 to 2011). This is one and the only coupe car was built from a Testa Rossa and a half portion of the 1961 Ferrari 250 GTE wreck which had been in a crash and left to rot. From there, he restored it back into pristine condition by using a mix of authentic 250 Testa Rossa parts and his own fabrications.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Coupe is was built by simply adding a 250 GTE-styled hardtop over the legendary Testa Rossa body. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2D1z2pe)

For example, the suspensions and brakes are original type 250 as per what would have been on the cars in period. And as its powertrain uses an original 250TR type Block 3-liter V12 'refreshed' engine and coupled with an original 250TR type Ribbed gearbox.

Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa Coupe is an incredible beautifully unique Ferrari red and cream build that just might be worthy of an inane asking price. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hxfV5D)

Broadly speaking for the exterior appearance, this beautiful coupe was built by simply adding a 250 GTE-styled hardtop over the legendary Testa Rossa body. While the chassis was made by Neils' team using jigs from the original chassis they worked on. So it is clear, that's a chimera of two famous Ferrari models.

And if you've come to the end wondering why this doesn't look anything like a Testarossa, that's because this is a two-word 'Testa Rossa,' the prancing horse species of the '50s/'60s, not a one-word, '80s/'90s Testarossa. The result is an incredible beautifully unique Ferrari red and cream build that just might be worthy of an inane asking price. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FAST IS FAST | VELOCE CARS | INSIDE HOOK | HICONSUMPTION.COM]

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The weirdest Le Mans racing car

In a racing event that is attended by many motorized vehicle participants from various teams and manufacturers, of course, it will not display a uniform vehicle shape. Yes, various designs made in accordance with the race requirements, of course, will also colorize the excitement of the event.

A unique racing car created by Mario Dalmonte, Carlo Mollino, and Enrico Nardi in 1955 named "Bisiluro Damolnar" for the 24 hours Le Mans racing event. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hhygDz)

One of the racing events that always features participants with various motor vehicle designs is the 24 hours of Le Mans. This legendary racing event (since 1923), which is held annually at the Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France, is a venue to compete for the vehicle endurance when it is driven non-stop at high speed for 24 hours around the circuit.

The Bisiluro Damolnar with Carlo Mollino behind the steering wheel while on the speed at the 24 hours Le Mans racing event track in 1955. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iSP3x8)

Yes, one of the most striking is the appearance of a bright-red open-top Italian racing car that took part in the 24-hour Le Mans of 1955 named Bisiluro Damolnar. Its name derived from the surnames of its three designers, ie Mario Dalmonte, Carlo Mollino, and Enrico Nardi. It looked very different from all the other cars that competed in the legendary endurance competition.

This 1955 Bisiluro Damolnar has a Giannini-tuned twin-cam, 4 cylinders, 737 cc engine mounted on the left-hand side (to counter the weight of the driver, seated on the right). (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34lxlyq)

This racing car which has the appearance like the twin torpedoes which in Italian is called 'Bisiluro,' is an anomaly, it’s asymmetrical, with no passenger seat, and has the engine mounted on the left-hand side (to counter the weight of the driver, seated on the right). And the 450 kg (992 lbs) weighed racing car running by a Giannini-tuned twin-cam, 4 cylinders, 737 cc engine of BMW 750 motorcycle.

The chassis as tested without the body. Note the standard radiator, test fuel tank, Appia suspension and round steering wheel. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/31ycm9J)

Out of context for a moment, the torpedo (siluro) shapes and names seem very popular to use by the Italian' automotive circles in the time. For example, Piaggio, the famous Pontadera-based scooter manufacturer ever made racing scooter species called Vespa Monthléry back in 1950. Shortly after, the real torpedo-shaped design also implemented to its record-breaking scooter known as Vespa Siluro in 1951.

An ovoid steering wheel, designed for maximum legroom, was probably the least weird part of this creation. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3hhygDz)

Back to the car, it is built on a Fiat 500 chassis and frames made of the tubular steel for a lightweight body and attached with an engine with a high (for the time) power to weight ratio, it is said the race car is capable of running up to a top speed of 216 mph (347 kph).

This 1955 Bisiluro Damolnar is built on a Fiat 500 chassis made of tubular steel for a lightweight body and an engine with a high (for the time) power to weight ratio. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/34lxlyq)

But unfortunately, its appearance at one of the most prestigious racing events did not make any achievements. During the race, the Bisiluro was literally blown off the track, after colliding with a close-passing Jaguar D-Type and sustained too much damage to continue the race.

After being repaired and restored, the unusual-shaped racing car now lives on display at the prestigious Leonardo Da Vinci Museum in Milan, Italy. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SILODROME | STYLEPARK | ROAD AND TRACK | WIRED | VELOCETODAY.COM]

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One of the jet-age inspired Alfa Romeo beauty creations

Of the many beautiful cars that used the Alfa Romeo brand in the 1950s, it turned out that there were those that had unique shapes and used unusual features to be applied to cars at that time. Well, the Alfa Romeo Superflow IV Pininfarina Coupe was another outstanding vehicle with its Jetsons-style sliding glass roof built by one of the famous Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina.

Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV Coupe by Pininfarina began its life as a race car ever used by by five-times World Champion, Juan Manuel Fangio, when he finished second in the 1953 Mille Miglia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kJBdis)

This Alfa Romeo beauty creation began its life as a race car with a very different coupe body built by Carrozzeria Colli, built to contest top events like the Mille Miglia and Le Mans. This particular Alfa Romeo is four concept cars in one, in total eight of the 6C 3000 CM's models were built.

Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV Coupe powered by the latest development of Alfa Romeo's fabled twin-cam straight-six 3.5-liter engine coupled with six Weber carburetors so it could be produced around 275 horsepower. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3kJBdis)

Yes, this beautiful car is built based on the reliable racing cars ever used by five-times World Champion, Juan Manuel Fangio, when he finished second in the 1953 Mille Miglia by driving a Colli Coupe 3000 CM.

This is the Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM (Competizione Maggiorata) Colli Coupe-winning car at the hands of Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1953 Mille Miglia. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2XWrdbx)

As we all know, this 6C 3000 CM has a highly sophisticated construction with a steel tubular spaceframe chassis, independent front suspension, a DeDion rear axle, and all fitted with a Coupe body created by Colli on the chassis 00128.

Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV Coupe by Pininfarina was the striking use of Plexiglass, this time on the domed roof as well as the headlight covers. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/2Cq7NEy)

For the drivetrain, it used the latest development of Alfa Romeo's fabled twin-cam straight-six 3.5-liter engine coupled with six Weber carburetors so it could be produced around 275 horsepower.

Well, of those eight 6C 3000 CM’s models ever built, then two units were converted to the worthied car to be used on the road, one built by Boano for Argentine President Juan Peron and another was given to another famous Italian coachbuilder Pininfarina.

Interior view of the Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV Coupe by Pininfarina with simple dashboard layout features several instruments panel and steering wheel on the right. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fVbIXC)

On Pininfarina's hand, the second car had been developed in such way to four prototype design studies and it ends with this incredible Superflow looks as you can see today. The car showed at the 1960 Geneva Motor Show incorporating the best features of the previous versions, the car was now dubbed the Coupe Super Sport Speciale or Superflow IV.

The plexiglass features able to see on the headlight covers as well as the domed roof. This time the panels were not hinged but could actually slide down and back underneath the rear window. As a result, the Superflow IV could be used as both a Coupe and Spyder.

Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV Coupe by Pininfarina could be used as both a Coupe and Spyder due to the panels were not hinged but could actually slide down and back underneath the rear window. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3fVbIXC)

The show car started out with a rather extreme, jet-age inspired design and finally ended with a strikingly elegant design, typical of the 1960s. It also influenced the design of future Alfa Romeo models, most notably the Duetto Spyder, which was launched in 1966.

And lastly, the elegant and incredible Alfa Romeo 6C 3000 CM Superflow IV had been succeeded to amaze the audience at Salon Privé 2017 held in the Blenheim Palace grounds for the world-renowned Chubb Insurance Concours d’Elégance in the Curvaceous Coupes class. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SALON PRIVE | CARSTYLING.RU | RACECAR.COM | ]

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The first wedge-shaped concept car of Ferrari

Ferrari, the iconic supercar manufacturer that houses everything about Italian sports cars, such as passion, emotion, beauty, and speed. With a well-known history of road cars and racing cars, there have been countless beautiful car models from time to time, but there are also many models that were never seen on the production list.

1969 Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale concept car whose entire development work was done by Pininfarina and launched for the first time at the Turin Motor Show 1969. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/30FZgqp)

Luckily, most of them are concept cars that don't go any further. At other times, the concepts inspire a production vehicle that goes by much more beautifully, and sometimes special designers try to create a new Ferrari that should remain in their imagination. 

Uniquely, not an ordinary door system but a canopy flip-up is used to access the cabin of 1969 Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale concept car. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3imrwEC)

One of them is the Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale concept car whose entire development work was done by Pininfarina and launched for the first time at the Turin Motor Show 1969. This concept was created by Filippo Sapino, who has been known for 3 decades as a design director at Ghia. But his most striking project was this Ferrari concept car during his brief tenure at Pininfarina in the late 1960s.

1969 Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale concept car's interior view with right-hand steering wheel and 5-speed manual transmission. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/33AhQlI)

This is the first Ferrari concept car to apply a wedge-shaped design that defines the trend of car design in the 1970s. Besides that, the naming of the concept car is also confusing, first from the '512S' moniker, but no 5.0-liter V12 under the rear clamshell grille. Furthermore, although it is based on the 312P, the engine was not the 3.0 liter 12 cylinder, but the 6.0 liter of the 612 Can-Am. Sadly, the concept car was not a drivable vehicle as the engine block has no innards. Might be someday you able to see it running on the streets after the real engine had been attached.

1969 Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale concept car features a mid-mounted 6.0-liter V12 engine from a 612 Can-Am racer. (Picture from: https://bit.ly/3iiA2o3)

Apart from that, Sapino had made the most of the floor-hugging physique of the chassis, adding some unorthodox surface treatments to visually transform static into supersonic. Uniquely, not an ordinary door system but a canopy flip-up is used to access the cabin of this car, which was then also applied to another 512S concept made a year later (1970) called Paulo Martin's Ferrari 512S Modulo. 

Yes, the car concept design looks very different from previous models made by Pininfarina such as the Ferrari 250 P5 Berlinetta Speciale designed by Leonardo Fioravanti in 1968. Unfortunately, only one example of the 512S Berlinetta Speciale was made.

The design of the 512S Berlinetta Speciale is perhaps more significant for breaking the curvaceous styling of Ferrari's earlier prints, while also setting the angular design precedent for the 365 GTC/4 (also the Sapino's design) and the next Berlinetta Boxers. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CLASSICDRIVER.COM | CARSTYLING.RU]

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